It’s the beginning of summer, which means it’s time for sticky marshmallows, grilled-to-perfection hot dogs and cold, refreshing beer. But you don’t have to portage to a campsite or take the long drive to the cottage up north to feel the warmth of a campfire or listen to the crackle and pop of burning kindling. You can create an authentic campfire experience right in your own backyard with some great new products available in shops around the Greater Toronto Area.

Before you rush out to purchase your backyard campfire essentials, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the relevant bylaws in your municipality. While portable firepits may be a great alternative for city dwellers and suburbanites alike, in Ontario, open-air burning is not permitted unless it’s small, confined, used to cook food and monitored at all times. Otherwise you will need to obtain a permit from the fire department.

From left: Campfire Cookery by Sarah Huck and Jaimee Young, an elegant outdoor fireplace from Fiber Living, handcrafted reclaimed wood benches from Urban Tree Salvage

These rules serve as a safety precaution against potential hazards such as burns upon contact, fire exposure from embers, property damage or grass fires. Plus, they prevent you from alarming your unwitting neighbours.

“If you decide to start an open-air fire, your neighbours might think your house is on fire and either rush to help put out the fire or call the fire department,” says Capt. Mike Strapko of Toronto Fire Services.

Whether you’re enjoying the campfire in a park, at a campsite or in your own backyard, Strapko recommends following these additional safety rules with both children and adults: never leave fire unattended, always stay until the ashes are cool to touch whenever you put out a fire (that means time for another beer and roasted hot dog!), and keep basic firefighting equipment on hand in case of an emergency.

Now that you know how to avoid burning your house down, you’re ready to recreate Algonquin Park at home. A few carefully selected accoutrements will transform your backyard or patio into your personal campsite.

If you don’t know much about decorating an outdoor space, the best approach is to try not to get too carried away with your vision, and choose pieces carefully:

“Some people will be all over the place and try to select too many things,” says Michael Guerra, co-owner of the recently launched Fiber Living in Toronto, which specializes in both indoor and outdoor furniture. “You have to choose a theme and stick to it. Ask yourself questions like whether you’d like a conversation set or a relaxing deep-seating set.”

When shopping for accessories for backyards or patios where space might be an issue, Guerra recommends you choose small conversation sets, with items like tables, stools and smaller benches and couches, instead of deep-seating ones that can overwhelm the space.

For a more eco-friendly environment (the true campsite experience), take a careful look at how items are made. Fiber Living, for example, uses 100 per cent recyclable plastic for its outdoor furniture and its outdoor fireplace selection is as green as it gets.

“The customer has to educate themselves,” says Guerra. “Even if they’re paying a little bit more, they’re actually buying a better quality, eco-friendly product.”

Most importantly, whether you’re a true outdoor adventurer or simply like to dabble in outdoor activities now and again, your backyard or patio should be a reflection of your style and requirements, and be a comfortable summer hideaway for your family and friends.

Here are some backyard accessories that will add some spark to your summer. And remember: although several retail outlets sell outdoor fireplaces, including chimeneas and firepits, not all of them conform to city regulations. If you’re still uncertain, the best way to make sure your new purchase is safe to use is to check with your local fire department.

Coleman portable fireplace grill
Pull out this portable fireplace grill whenever the camping mood strikes, then fold it away again just as easily: the stand is collapsible and the whole thing fits in a convenient carry bag. Before long, you’ll master the art of the grill in the great outdoors — and, who knows, you might even give Licence to Grill chef, Rob Rainford, a run for his money!
Available at www.amazon.com, $199.99.

Wrought iron firepit
Seek salvation from those cool late summer evenings with this outdoor firepit. If you’re brave, you can even use it after the temperature begins to drop in the fall. Be aware you may need a permit for this one — but it will be well worth the effort.
Available at General Products Patio Furniture, 160 East Beaver Creek, Units 25-28, 905-709-1162, $299.

Campfire Cookery
by Sarah Huck and Jaimee Young (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, June 2011) Campfire cooking is more than just baked beans and fire-roasted corn. Huck and Young use limited equipment and minimal ingredients to create movable feasts. A teaser: foil-roasted mushrooms with hazelnuts and chives.
Available at Indigo, 2300 Yonge St., 416-544-0049, $35.95.

Marshmallow barbecue fork
Stock up on graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows and this handy two-prong fork so you’re ready to make s’mores whenever you have a hankering for this classic campfire fare. Extending almost a metre, this tool ensures you won’t have to worry about burning your arm to get the perfect roasted ’mallow.
Available at Crate & Barrel, 3401 Dufferin St., 416-657-4100, $9.95.

Magnifico Innovation Nova fireplace
If roughing it in the woods is not your cup of tea, opt for a more upscale backyard fire experience with this enclosed outdoor fireplace. The Montreal-based company designs low-maintenance, ethanol-fuelled fireplaces created specifically for outdoor environments.
Available at Fiber Living, 58 Berkeley St., 416-628-9966, $5,900.

Elm cube set
For a truly authentic camping experience in your own backyard, there’s nothing more natural than these tree-carved furniture items, handcrafted using pieces from salvaged Toronto trees and reclaimed timbers. They do double duty as side tables and seats.
Available at Urban Tree Salvage, 753 Warden Ave., 647-438-7516, $1,100 for set.